Partnership working to enhance the River Stour habitat at Great Bradley Naomi Boyle, Environment Agency A project to improve the habitat diversity of the upper reaches of the River Stour has recently been completed. The works have been undertaken by the Environment Agency Stour Operations Team in partnership with landowners Charles Ryder and Colin Clifton-Brown, the Environment Agency’s Fisheries, Biodiversity & Geomorphology team and Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project . This work will help us achieve our Water Framework Directive (WFD) objectives. The River Stour water body upstream of Wixoe is classed as being at moderate ecological potential with improvements required to improve morphology (shape and form) , invertebrates and to reduce phosphate levels before the required good ecological potential can be achieved. Working with our partners at the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour valley project a two kilometre stretch of the river at Gt. Bradley was identified with landowners not only willing to allow us to carry out restoration works on their land but able to provide us with the wood for the project and keen to be involved in wider habitat improvements along the river. Over a two week period approximately 55 woody debris structures were installed with the help of a 13 -tonne long-reach excavator and a small team of workers. These structures took the form of flow deflectors keyed into one bank and log jams across the entire channel. The purpose of these structures is to create flow diversity within the channel which in turn increases habitat diversity. In addition to these in-channel works, we have been working with Charles Ryder (one of the landowners) to identify areas within the riparian corridor where he can plant native trees of local provenance to compliment existing tree cover. In the longer term this increased cover will provide shade for the river and will help to regulate the water temperature which is important for some fish species. Habitat diversity will also be increased through tree roots extending into the channel banks and branches hanging in the water as well as providing a natural source of woody debris. Over one hundred trees will be planted this winter as part of a Countryside Stewardship Scheme. We are keen to work with partner organisations and landowners in Suffolk to continue to improve river habitat and to help Suffolk’s rivers achieve their WFD objectives. If you would like to talk us about improving river habitats in Suffolk, please get in touch with Will Akast, Catchment Delivery Manager-Suffolk, Environment Agency, Ipswich office. Will.akast@environment-agency.gov.uk
Using the excavator to key wood into the bank.
Flow deflector keyed into bank and held in place with posts driven into the channel bed.
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